Summary: What happened just before and during the flood?

In a couple of weeks, there will be a major motion picture in theaters titled Noah starring Russell Crowe, Anthony Hopkins, Jennifer Connely and other big time actors. Many of you have seen the movie trailer. There are much discussions already about this movie and many of our relatives and friends will likely ask us about it. We started our discussion of this topic last week as we take a short break from our study of the Letters to the Thessalonians. How should we, Believers of Christ, handle this upcoming movie about Noah?

We noted last week three important things we should do right away when we are asked about this upcoming movie Noah:

1. Tell people that the producers themselves, of this Noah Movie, states that there will be additions to the biblical account for artistic and entertainment value!

I read from those who saw a first run of the movie that there will be 6 people instead of 8, going in the ark and there is one stowaway who intends to kill Noah on board; weird!!!

2. Have a prayerful attitude in relating to people about this Noah Movie.

3. Be ready to share about the Good News of the ark and what it represents.

Last week we noted from Genesis 6 why there was a flood and why and how God saved Noah. Today we will look at Genesis 7 and answer two questions: What happened just before the flood? What happened during the Flood?

Next week we will look at what happened after the flood. Before we read our passage today, let us together pray our commitment to God’s Word……

Open your Bibles to Genesis 7 and read along with me God’s Word which He carefully and methodically provides for us what we need (there is no need for additions to God’s Word!). Let us read starting with Genesis 6:18….. (to 7:24)

And so, What happened before the Flood?

1. God spoke to Noah:

a. made a covenant with Noah, his family, and animals! And what is a covenant?

A covenant is a guaranteed promise! And what is this guaranteed promise; it is in the end of Gen. 6:20…. God guaranteed that all creatures taken in the ark, including Noah and his family, will be kept alive!

What else did God tell Noah?

b. take living creatures into the ark!

Now, let us be clear in what God said:

6:19-20 - 2 of all living creatures (bird, animal, groundcrawlers), male and female

7:2a – 7 of every kind of “clean” animal (male and mate)

7:2b – 2 of every kind of “unclean” animal (male and mate)

7:3 – 7 of every kind of bird (male and female)

Now, some will tell you that God does not make sense here; first God says 2 of every kind, then he says 7 for some, and how could Noah know which is clean and unclean when the Mosaic Law was not established yet?

I’ve said this many times before: The Bible will not do us any good when we don’t accept it as God’s Word! And so, this is the first thing we need to affirm: The Bible is God’s Word, therefore it will not contradict itself!

There is actually an easy answer to the supposed contradictions. The answer is in the passage. Yes God spoke to Noah about the animals to go in the ark; but did Noah actually had to get the animals and count them?